Photographers In Pursuit

Warren asked if I had taken any images of the 200+ photographers running around Yosemite last week in pursuit of capturing the golden ribbon of Horsetail Falls.  For those of you who have not seen or heard about this phenomenon   During the third week of February, when the sky is clear and there is enough water in this ephemeral falls, the water is back lit into a golden glowing ribbon cascading down El Capitan.  Due to a lack of water, and fog I did not get anything worthwhile, but that did not stop many of us to sit for several hours each late afternoon and early evening hoping for something to capture.  The group pictured is a small segment of about 75 photographers huddling in 30 degree temps.  Only two sites afford a good view and this is at the northern site called El Capitan Picnic Area.  I am up for trying again next year. Anybody else?

Sigma DP2 Merrill

Dan

Waving Hello

There are many interesting sandstone rock formations in Castle Rock State Park. I was there for the first time last weekend for a short hike. This spot is the top of a 70ft rock climb. It is also accessible from the top, which is how I got there- not by climbing. The man waving had found a cave entrance from the top and I asked him to wave so he would stand out more in the picture. Some broken glass and graffiti are inside the cave, which is tall enough to stand in, he said. Over the ridge in the distance is the Pacific Ocean.

Dewey Point

On my recent trip to Yosemite, I took the opportunity to head out to Dewey Point.  Having gone to the more popular Glacier Point many times, this location is west of Glacier and affords views of El Capitan, Clouds Nest, and a distant Half Dome.  It took me two hours of snowshoeing and I followed the ridge trail out and the Meadow trail back, about 8 miles total.  With the gear on my back, I was spent by the time I got back, but the view is spectacular.  When I reached the point, a Park Service crew was filming the site and asked if I would mind being in the film.  I agreed and they filmed me setting up the Pano shot, which is comprised of 8 images on two rows.  If printed in its current format of 300 dpi, it would measure 5 x 3 feet.   Nikon d800e, Zeiss Makro Planar 100 f2.  Dan

Enjoying a Smoke

Leica M3, Leitz 50mm f2.8 Elmar, Kodak BW400CN

A change of pace from our recent landscape, wildlife, and scenery photography, here's a different kind of scenery.

--Warren

Half Moon Bay

HTC One X

Dolph, does this look familiar? :)

--Warren

Sigma DP2 Merrill in Yosemite

This is a handheld stitched image taken at Mirror Lake.  The camera handles very well even in high contrast snow scenes.  Composing with a LCD is still awkward for me, but given the size of the camera it is a remarkable tool.

Dan

HTC Panorama Tests

HTC One X

I tested the automatic panorama function of my HTC One X's camera. It worked amazingly well. The camera takes five shots automatically, all you have to do is press the shutter once, and then pan the camera from left to right.

Gail practicing Tai Chi at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park:

Gail at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park:

--Warren

A Few More HTC Shots

HTC One X

Seal Rocks:

Sutro Baths:

View South from Fort Funston:

--Warren

Gail at the Cliff House

HTC One X

We just had brunch at the Cliff House, afterward we walk outside to take some test shots with my HTC's camera. The camera has a digital zoom feature, but I wouldn't advise using it. The results when zoomed in are pretty horrific. But the shots taken at it's native focal length turned out very nice.

--Warren

Ocean Beach, Feb 21st

HTC One X

I was testing my new cell phone's camera. It's a 28mm FF equivalent with 8MP.

--Warren

Scene at Ocean Beach

S100 Canon

Lena

Scene at Ocean Beach

I test my S100 Canon use TV menu to try this shot,
I am happy it quality,..:-)

Lena

Shorebirds Seem to be In Vogue

Warren and Dolph have been posting some great images of shorebirds recently so I thought I might add a few from Marin County's famous Bolinas Lagoon. The hummer for some reason was watching them for the longest time.  Maybe it wanted to learn to swim.   Nikon d800e Nikon 400 f2.8 af-i with 2x converter

Dan

Snowy Egret Found Its Dinner

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix 100-300mm



--Warren

Happy Chinese New Year !!!

Dahlia
D90 Nikon 18-200

Lena

Snowy Egret Looking for Dinner

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix 100-300mm

Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy New Year) everyone!

Another bird image from my recent visit to Heron's Head Park at India Basin.

--Warren

Mission Peak Hike

The hike was somewhat steep and continually demanding. And there were cows on the trails . . lol

Grebes in Love (Spring is Almost Here!)

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix 100-300mm

Here is a picture the same two Clark's Grebes from another angle. I was standing about 20 feet to the left of Dolph. We happened to see them towards the end of their courtship dance. Like Dolph said, it was fascinating to watch them being so playful with each other. We were a little late this time, so I'm hoping to go back here to see them or another pair next time.

I found a video on Youtube that documents the dance.

Link: to Youtube video.

--Warren

King of the Harbour

Lumix GX 1  100 - 300mm

King of the harbour.....I don't know if you should watch out below or watch out from this guy above...

**Dolph

Love Birds

Lumix GX1  100 - 300MM

It was something to watch the two perform the "spring dance" of love.

**Dolph

Bridge Bolts

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix 100-300mm

Why do we like to take pictures of old, rusty things? :)

--Warren

Black Oystercatchers

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix 100-300mm

These striking shorebirds do not usually eat oysters despite their name. They mainly feed on small mollusks along the shoreline. These were seen at Heron's Head park at India Basin. I like the vivid colors in their beaks and eyes, could they be SF Giants fans? :)

--Warren

Concentration

Lumix LX5

Lea was helping Gail choose an eyeglass frame. I liked the mirrors and different shapes and frames, and also Lea's focused stare. :)

--Warren